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Word and mouth

Travellers' Stories

The majority of Gypsies and Travellers being nomadic communities have not developed literacy as the settled communities have. A great deal of Traveller history is passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth and story-telling.

Children during storytelling

Consequently, their stories are not only interesting in their own right, reflective of the individual story-teller, but important as in conjunction with all the other Traveller stories are collective evidence of the proud history and dignified lives of an often misunderstood people.

Open Roads, Open Minds

DVD resourceThe Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service (the Travellers Education Service as it was known at the time) launched a Travellers Storytelling project in 2005. It is ongoing and has produced School Resources and Story CDs. Click below for more details, including audio and video clips.

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Bookstart

BookstartBookstart is a national scheme offering free books to every child and advice to every parent. It encourages parents and carers to share books with children from a very early age.

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Travellers tell their own stories

Tommy's Story

In his own words. Extract from "Gypsies and Travellers in their own words".

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Tilly's Story

Tilly Kelby was born in Salford in Manchester. She talks about the differences between Travellers and "Country People" and her experiences of racism.

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Annies Story

Annie Kindon was born in Bawtry, Doncaster. She was seventy-eight when she told her story.

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